Dogs (and generally all furry babies) are not just pets, but part of the family. So it’s hard to imagine any vacation without them. This is especially difficult if you have young children. Usually, they are attached to dogs and it would be horrendous to separate them even for a day.
And who says it has to be the case?
With proper organization and some creative ideas, anything can be done. Of course, you can always leave your pet at home and ask someone to look after him. But why would you do that when you can embark on this lovely journey together with your dog. If this is your first time traveling with a dog, and you’re not quite sure how to pull it off, these spectacular ideas will help you accomplish it.
Tips to Have a Great Time With Your Dog
Talk to the Vet
A consultation with your veterinarian is the first step that needs to be taken, especially if this is your first time traveling with your dog. Perceive it as a pre-trip meeting where your vet is going to provide you with some information concerning health considerations for your location. If you plan on leaving the country, keep in mind that you are obligated to acquire a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling by plane or car, this certificate simply has to be obtained.
In case your puppy isn’t micro-chipped, your vet is probably going to chip him. Don’t worry. This process is usually very fast and easy. Plus, with it, you will be able to register the number of the microchip to find your dog if it gets lost somewhere quickly.
Bring a Carrier
It doesn’t matter whether you’ll be using a plane, car, train or are going on vacation in a camper, your fur baby should be put in a ventilated carrier. Ensure it’s large enough, so it allows your dog to lie down, stand, turn around, etc. naturally. Also, make sure you always have some fresh water and food by your side.
If your dog doesn’t like the carrier or simply isn’t accustomed to it, then before you go anywhere, make sure it is introduced to it at the house. You should do it at least a couple of weeks before the vacation. Place its favorite toy, blanket or treats inside so that it can feel loved and safe. If it does, it will always associate the carrier with something friendly and welcoming.
More Advice Coming to Your Doorstep
Dog-friendly Apps
Online you can come across numerous beneficial apps that can help you two during the road trip. All of them make things so much easier and can only further improve your overall experience. Some of the best include:
- Bring Fido – With this one, you will be able to easily track some of the closest restaurants, hotels, and attractions that are pet-friendly.
- All Trails – All Trails is packed with the biggest collection of trail maps. It has more than 50,000. Once you download it, you will have the opportunity to browse pictures, as well as reviews, and also find dog-friendly trails that you can visit with your furry buddy.
- Pet First Aid By American Red Cross – This application helps you find the nearest animal hospital and gives you thorough information regarding common pet problems.
Supplies
We know that we have already mentioned things like fresh water and food, but these are not the only things you must always have with you. Besides them, it’s recommended to bring its favorite bed, toys and treats.
If the food your dog loves needs to be kept in the refrigerator, make sure that the place you stay in includes it as a part of their offerings. Of course, you can always purchase new food at that location; however, check out first whether they have the food your dog likes. This is very important, especially because the entire trip can be a bit stressful for your pet, and you do not want to make things worse by feeding it with something it isn’t fond of. It can even upset its tummy.
Choose Destination Carefully
Not every location is perfect for your dog. Some are more or less suitable for it. Hence, it’s of great relevance to be very wise about it. It should be an ideal destination for both of you. For instance, if you live in a small town or suburbs, it’s going to be quite a shock for it once it sees the bustle and chaos that huge cities provide.
The point of this vacation isn’t to throw your pet out of its comfort zone where there are a bunch of new people, sounds, places and smells. It can potentially be counterproductive. The entire process has to be gradual so that your puppy has enough time to adapt to the environment.
Give Your Pet Space
Before you embark on this journey, make sure that everyone feels comfortable, including your doggo. Your dog shouldn’t be squeezed between your bags and luggage. It needs a room where it can comfortably lay down and relax. The more space that is made for your pet, the better it will be.
Plan an Activity with Your Dog
You will probably be traveling for a couple of hours, which means that your puppy was quite inactive the entire time. It is probably full of energy, and it cannot wait to experience a long, high-quality run. That’s why it would be advisable if you Googled a location near the place where you’ll be staying that is dog-friendly so you can take it for a long walk. You can even plan a hike or go to the park. Just make sure it has some form of activity. It will positively impact its mood.
Remember to Have a Great Time
The most important thing to any dog is to have its owner by its side all the time. However, it wouldn’t hurt if you provided them with some special items and activities that are going to embellish your journey further. With the help of these tips, you will easily accomplish that.
